Match package



J. D. LERCH MATCH PACKAGE Filed July 29,

Jan. 2, 1934.

INVENTOR John D. Larch ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 2, 1934 1,942,300 MATCH PACKAGE John D. Lerch, New York, N. Y.

Application July 29, 1932. Serial No. 625,746

8 Claims.

This invention relates to match packages and more particularly to a match package arranged to provide for automatic ignition of the match when extracted from the package.

I Considerable work and development has been done in the field of match boxes or match packages so' arranged as to provide for ignition of an individual match upon extraction from the package. Such devices have not heretofore proved to be very popular because of a number of faults. A package utilizing wooden matches has been developed to the point of successful operation, but is defective in being capable of carrying only a few individually supported and separately spaced matches. My invention, in contrast with such a package, centers about the use of paper matches, with the objects of economy in production, lightness in weight, compactness in size, and the ready possibility of using a plurality of layers of 20 matches.

In my prior Patent No. 1,854,849, granted April 19, 1932, I have disclosed improvements in such match boxes, and, among other things, I there disclosed the use of a corrugated partition located intermediate two layers of matches, the corrugations in the partition extending transversely of the matches. This improvement is valuable because there is a distinct resistance to withdrawal of the match which must be overcome by a comparatively strong pull on the match stick, so that when the match is finally released it travels rapidly past the abrasive surface which strikes or ignites the match head. The corrugated partition is also valuable in preventing a flare-back of the flame fromthe newly ignited match to the heads of the remaining matches.

The primary and general object of the present invention is to improve match packages of the type described above; and more particular ch- 40 jects of the present invention are to improve the aforesaid desirable characteristics of the corrugated partition and at the same time to add still another exceedingly desirable feature, namely, the property of holding the remaining matches in a given layer of matches in a substantially upright position within the package even after some of the matches in the layer have been extracted.

With these objects in view I find it beneficial and desirable to corrugate the matches as well as the partition, the corrugations in the matches mating and coinciding with the corrugations in the partition. This construction increases the resistance to pull or withdrawal of the match. It improves the shielding effect against backtravel of flame, particularly in the portions of the package in which matches still remain; and even more importantly the mating of the corrugations of the match and partition tends to keep the individual matches extending perpendicular to the corrugations in the partition, and this'feature proves to be particularly valuable after a considerable number of matches have beenwithdrawn from a single layer of matches.

Other objects of the present invention. are to facilitate grasping of the end of the match stick and removal of the match, particularly when a plurality of layers of matches are used; to keep the match package thin while allowing ample room for the enlarged heads of the matches; to simplify the construction of the match package itself so that it may be made rapidly and economically, only a few simple parts being needed for the package, and these parts being adapted for manufacture by machine methods; and to insure striking of the match upon its extraction,'and to generally increase the dependability of the frictional engagement between the match head and the abrasive surfaces.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the match package and the elements thereof, and their relation one to the other as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by a drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned elevation of a preferred form of match package embodying features of my invention; r

Fig. 2 is a section taken in the plane of the line 22 in Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken in the plane of the line 33 in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, the particular form of match package here disclosed comprises an outer casing 2, an intermediate or center partition 4, and a plurality of layersof matches 6, 8 located between the outer casing and the partition. The inner sides of the open edges of the casing 2 are preferably coated with a frictional or abrasive material, as is indicated at 10, and the upper edge of the partition 4 may similarly be coated with a frictional abrasive material, as is indicated at 12, so that, as will readily be understood by those versed in this art, an individual match when pulled from the package will become ignited.

Considering the present construction in greater detail, the case 2 is made of a single piece of relatively light cardboard folded back upon itself at the bottom edge of the package, in order to form the front and back sides of the package. The partition 4 is a single rectangular piece of relatively stifi material such as light fiber board or a somewhat heavier cardboard than is used for the outer sides of the package. This partition is made of relatively stiff material so that it will retain the corrugations 14 initially imparted to it during its manufacture. The layer of matches 6 is preferably a layer of paper matches which is corrugated, as is indicated at 16, to fit against or mate with the corrugations 14 in the partition 4. Similarly, the layer of matches 8 is corrugated, as is indicated at 18, to fit against and mate with the opposite side of the partition 4. The lower edge 20 of the partition preferably terminates at or near the tops of the heads 22 of the matches, thereby providing increased room for the enlarged heads of the matches, and also some resistance to withdrawal of the match.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that each match is retained between a pair of walls at least one of which is corrugated transversely to the length of the match, while the match is similarly corrugated to mate with the corrugations in the partition. This construction results in increased resistance to withdrawal of the match, which securely guards against accidental disl'odgment or falling out of the matches, and which increases the velocity of movement of the match when its resistance is finally overcome by a strong pull, thereby insuring striking of the match as it passes through the abrasive or frictional surfaces 10 and 12. What is even more important, however, is that the individual matches tend to remain in proper position, that is, in a position at right angles to the corrugations in the partition. Consequently, after a number of matches have been withdrawn from the layer of matches, the remaining matches do not tend to fall over sideways, but rather remain in an erect position. This desirable result is obtained both by reason of the pressure upon the matches caused by the outer casing 2 in cooperation with the corrugated partition 4, and by reason of the corrugations of the individual matches mating properly with the corrugations of the partition only when the match extends across the partition; as desired. A moments reflection will show that the turning of a match to an angular position necessitates a straightening out of the corrugations in the match.

The assembly of the match package is completed simply by stapling the side edges of the package, as is indicated by the staples 24 and 26 in Figs. 1 and 3. If desired, one or more intermediate staples may be employed, and I prefer to employ a single intermediate staple such as the staple 28 also indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. This staple serves the dual function of tending to keep the abrasive surfaces 10 and 12 in tight contact with -the :matches during their withdrawal, and of tending further toinsure retention of the matches in an upright position. It will be understood, however, that the use of the intermediate number of ways, but I prefer simply to vary the lengths of the layers of matches. Specifically, the matches 8 are longer than the matches 6 so that the heads 22 may be kept adjacent one another and positioned just below the bottom edge 20 of partition 4, yet the upper ends of matches 8 project beyond the upper ends of matches 6. t is then readily possible to withdraw the longer matches before touching the shorter matches.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the upper edges of the outer casing 2 are preferably folded or creased inwardly, as is indicated at 30. This folding of the outer cardboard is another optional feature which, however, is desirable in that it tends to insure smooth engagement of the match head with the frictional surfaces 10 and 12, and at the same time results in tight frictional contact during the striking operation.

It will be evident that the match package here described is not only simple in construction, but also is particularly adapted for machine production methods because the outer material 2 may be formed of a long strip; the partition 4 may be formed of a long continuous strip or web of material; and the layers of matches 6 and 3 may likewise be made in long strips and the same may be brought in association and properly positioned, corrugated, folded, etc. The moving continuous webs of material may then be stapled, and finally I the individual packages may be severed from the continuously moving webs. The layers matches 6 and 8, if originally left with a solid or unsheared web atthe upper ends thereof, may, sometime near the end of the match box forming operation, have these solid or unsheared portions cut therefrom so as to leave the matches in the separable condition shown.

It is believed that the mode .of constructing and using my improved match box, as well .as .the

many advantages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. The matches as well as the adjacent wall are similarly corrugated, thereby not only fulfilling the known function of preventing flame back-travel, butalso greatly improving the desirable resistance to .eX traction of the match; and finally and importantly holding the match in an erect position even after part of the matches have been extracted from the package. This .in turn makes it conveniently possible. to use the paper type of match, and dispenses with the necessity of surrounding each match with complete sup orting walls or openings as has heretofore been done with woodenjinatches. The .use of paper matches greatly lightens and 'cheapens the .cost of the entire match package, and results in a comparatively small and thin package containing .a large number of matches. It wil1,,of1course, be .understood that more than two layers of matches While none has been -illustra'tedin the drawing,

the outside of the package may, .ofcourse, be

provided with any appropriate advertising mate- Furthermore theflarrangementisj fit vided with a frictional abrasive surface for ignitrial and this may be applied directly to the casing 2 or, if preferred, may be printed on a thin sheet of finished paper which then is cemented to the outside of the finished match package.

It will be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in preferred form, many changes and modifications may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention, defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A match package comprising a layer of paper matches, and support walls between which said matches lie, one of said support walls being corrugated in a direction transverse to the individual matches, and said matches being corrugated to mate with the corrugations of the support wall.

2. A match package comprising a layer of paper matches, and support walls between which said matches lie, one of said support walls being corrugated in a direction transverse to the individual matches, said matches being corrugated to mate with the corrugations of the support Wall, and the upper edge of at least one of the support walls being provided with a frictional abrasive surface for igniting the match as it is extracted from the match package.

3. A match package comprising a layer of paper matches, and support walls between which said matches lie, one of said support walls being corrugated in a direction transverse to the individual matches, said matches being corrugated to mate with the corrugations of the support wall, and the upper edges of the support walls being provided with a frictional abrasive surface for igniting the match as it is extracted from the match package.

4. A match package comprising an outer piece of relatively light cardboard folded upon itself and arranged to receive a plurality of layers of paper matches with the heads of the matches at the fold in the cardboard and the ends of the match sticks projecting from the open end of the cardboard, a partition made of relatively stiff material lying between said layers of matches and corrugated transversely of the matches, and means securing the sides of the outer cardboard together with the ends of the partition therebetween, said matches being corrugated to mate with the corrugations in the partition.

5. A match package comprising an outer piece of relatively light cardboard folded upon itself and arranged to receive a plurality of layers of paper matches with the heads of the matches at the fold in the cardboard and the ends of the match sticks projecting from the open end of the cardboard, a partition made of relatively stiff material lying between said layers of matches and corrugated transversely of the matches, and means securing the sides of the outer cardboard together with the ends of the partition therebetween, said matches being corrugated to mate with the corrugations in the partition, and the open edges of the cardboard members being proing the matches as they are extracted from the package.

6. A match package comprising an outer piece of relatively light cardboard folded upon itself and arranged to receive a plurality of layers of paper matches with the heads of the matches at the fold in the cardboard and the ends of the match sticks projecting from the open end of the cardboard, a partition lying between said layers of matches and corrugated transversely of the matches, said matches being corrugated to mate with the corrugations in the partition, the side edges of the match package being stapled with the partition therebetween, and the match package also being stapled at an intermediate point, and the inside surfaces of the cardboard and the outer surfaces of the partition at the upper edges thereof being provided with a frictional abrasive surface for igniting the matches as they are extracted from the package.

7. A match package comprising an outer piece of relatively light cardboard folded upon itself and arranged to receive a plurality of layers of paper matches with the heads of the matches at the fold in the cardboard and the ends of the match sticks projecting from the open end of the cardboard, a partition made of relatively stiff material lying between said layers of matches and corrugated transversely of the matches, means securing the sides of the outer cardboard together with the ends of the partition therebetween, said matches being corrugated to mate with the corrugations in the partition, the upper edges of the outer cardboard being bent inwardly, and the inside surfaces of the inwardly bent cardboard and the outer surfaces of the partition at the upper edges thereof being provided with a frictional abrasive surface for igniting the matches as they are extracted from the package.

8. A match package comprising an outer piece of relatively light cardboard folded upon itself and arranged to receive a plurality of layers of paper matches with the heads of the matches at the fold in the cardboard and the ends of the match sticks projecting from the open end of the cardboard, a partition made of relatively stiff material lying between said layers of matches and corrugated transversely of the matches, the matches in the two layers projecting from the package by different amounts in order to facilitate removal of the individual matches, the side edges of the match package being stapled with the partition therebetween, and the match package also being stapled at an intermediate point, the upper edges of the outer cardboard being bent inwardly, and the inside surfaces of the inwardly bent cardboard and the outer surfaces of the partition at the upper edges thereof being provided with a frictional abrasive surface for igniting the matches as they are extracted from the package.

JOHN D. LERCH. 

